Columbus Blue Jackets Trade

Consider your team's needs met, L.A. fans. Gaborik is a three-time 40-goal scorer who, at age 32, still has plenty to offer. He has struggled over the past couple of years with injuries, but in good health and on a contending team with a strong system, he will have an opportunity to thrive.

Yes, Gaborik is prone to injury, but it's well worth the risk considering the Kings only gave up a single player, Matt Frattin. Frattin is a hard-working winger, but never met expectations after coming from Toronto in the Jonathan Bernier deal. Frattin had just six points in 40 games with L.A. this season.

Meanwhile, Gaborik could potentially be a difference-maker come playoff time, just like Jeff Carter was in 2012. Look for Darryl Sutter to try a few different line combinations, but ultimately Gaborik should spend significant time on a line with Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter or both.

Fasching, 18, and Deslauriers, 23, have yet to play an NHL game. They both have potential, but the Kings benefit more from having McNabb, who adds insurance to an already solid defensive core. At age 23, he has played 37 games with the Sabres and brings great size at 6'4", 208 pounds.

According to Jon Rosen of LAKingsInsider.com, head coach Darryl Sutter had this to say about McNabb.

Obviously, yeah. I’ve seen him play four or five years. He was the captain on Kootenay. But, again, that’s like talking about Gaborik, too. When you haven’t seen guys play live, then you have to evaluate ‘em when you get ‘em.

On top of that, the Kings got their two second-round picks back from the Regehr deal. So, without sacrificing anything that could have a negative impact on this year's playoff run, Lombardi addressed both short- and long-term needs.

Overall

Dean Lombardi deserves a lot of credit for how he's managed the Kings. Aside from these two trades at the deadline, he made a few other deals this year—most notably trading Ben Scrivens to the Edmonton Oilers for a third-round pick.

He also dealt Dan Carcillo to the Rangers for a seventh-round pick, sent Brandon Kozun to the Maple Leads for Andrew Crescenzi and traded Robert Czarnik to the Canadiens for Steve Quailer.

Lombardi has developed a reputation for making big deals at key times without sacrificing the future. These other trades that may seem small now could turn out to be a major factor in a few years, based on how the prospect develops or who the draft picks are used on.

As for Marian Gaborik, his impact should be felt within the next week or so. And in the playoffs, when the Kings inevitably find themselves in a 1-1 or 2-2 game, it's players like Gaborik and Jeff Carter who will likely make the difference.

As for Gaborik missing time this season due to a broken collarbone, Darryl Sutter isn't worried. According to Jon Rosen, Sutter said, "He should be fresh then, right?"